Analysis for gene networks based on logic relationships

The reverse construction and analysis of the networks of molecular interactions are essential for understanding their functions within cells. In this paper, a logic network model is constructed to investigate the complicated regulation mechanism of shoot genes of Arabidopsis Thaliana in response to stimuli. The dynamics of the complicated logic network is analyzed, discussed, and simulated. The simulation results show that the logic network of the active genes of shoot eventually evolves into eleven attractors under the stimuli, including five 1-periodic and six 2-periodic attractors. Our work provides valuable reference and guidance for biologists to understand and explain Arabidopsis’ response to external stimuli by experiments.     

LOGISTICS SCHEDULING： ANALYSIS OFTWO-STAGE PROBLEMS

This paper studies the coordination effects between stages for scheduling problems where decision-making is a two-stage process. Two stages are considered as one system. The system can be a supply chain that links two stages, one stage representing a manufacturer; and the other, a distributor It also can represent a single manufacturer, while each stage represents a different department responsible for a part of operations. A problem that jointly considers both stages in order to achieve ideal overall system performance is defined as a system problem. In practice, at times, it might not be feasible for the two stages to make coordinated decisions due to (i) the lack of channels that allow decision makers at the two stages to cooperate, and/or (ii) the optimal solution to the system problem is too difficult (or costly) to achieve.Two practical approaches are applied to solve a variant of two-stage logistic scheduling problems. The Forward Approach is defined as a solution procedure by which the first sta     

A novel method for improving cerussite sulfidization

Evaluation of flotation behavior, solution measurements, and surface analyses were performed to investigate the effects of chloride ion addition on the sulfidization of cerussite in this study. Micro-flotation tests indicate that the addition of chloride ions prior to sulfidization can significantly increase the flotation recovery of cerussite, which is attributed to the formation of more lead sulfide species on the mineral surface. Solution measurement results suggest that the addition of chloride ions prior to sulfidization induces the transformation of more sulfide ions from pulp solution onto the mineral surface by the formation of more lead sulfide species. X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive spectroscopy indicate that more lead sulfide species form on the mineral surface when chloride ions are added prior to sulfidization. These results demonstrate that the addition of chloride ions prior to sulfidization can significantly improve the sulfidization of cerussite, thereby enhancing the flotation performance.     

Application of the modified neighborhood interference model to the cultivation of forest and herbaceous ecosystem

This paper is an extension of the application of neighborhood interference model--being modified--to the study of the interference between forest plants and herbaceous plants. The exploration of the neighborhood interference between triploid Populus tomentosa and Lolium multiflorum shows that the interference of Lolium multiflorum on triploid populus tomentosa is positive, with the primary interference factor living weight, and secondary factor cover degree; the growth of an individual tree is affected by the number, height, and coverage of the Lolium multiflorum; the more dense the coverage of the Lolium multiflorum in a certain area, the taller, faster and more trees will grow as a result of a greater positive neighborhood interference. The modified neighborhood interference model well serves as an effective approach to extend the application of neighborhood interference researches.     

Synthesis of BiOCl photocatalyst by a low-cost,simple hydrolytic technique and its excellent photocatalytic activity

A novel photocatalyst, bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) micro-nano particles with a fine ferrite plate structure, was prepared by a low-cost, simple hydrolytic method. The as-prepared BiOCl was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis-differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The effects of preparation conditions such as sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) dispersant, HCl concentration, and heat treatment temperature on BiOCl performances were investigated. Moreover, its photocatalytic activity was evaluated on the degradation of methylene orange (MO) and was compared with that of TiO₂ (P25). The experimental results confirmed that BiOCl micro-nano particles prepared with SDBS, the HCl concentration of 1.5 mol/L, and the heat treatment temperature of 80℃ exhibited the best performance for the photodegradation of MO solution, and they showed good stability and better photocatalytic activity than P25 photocatalyst.     

Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages of the “Xinghuadukou Group” in Hanjiayuanzi and Xinlin areas and the “Zhalantun Group” in Inner Mongolia, Da Hinggan Mountains

A report is presented of SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating data of meta-igneous and meta-sedimentary rocks of the Xinghuadukou Group(Xinlin-Hanjiayuanzi area,Heilongjiang Province)and meta-volcanic rocks of the Zhalantun Group(Zhalantun district,Inner Mongolia).The SHRIMP analyses show that the meta-igneous rocks from the Xinghuadukou Group formed at 506±10―547±46 Ma,belonging to Early-Middle Precambrian,whereas the meta-sedimentary rocks yielded detrital zircons,with ages of 1.0―1.2,1.6―1.8 and 2.5―2.6 Ga,indicative of deposition age at least<1.0 Ga. Meta-basic volcanic rocks from the Zhalantun Group have a formation age of 506±3 Ma.These data suggest that both the Xinghuadukou and Zhalantun Groups formed during Cambrian and/or Neoproterozoic time,rather than Paleoproterozoic time as previously thought.Early Precambrian inherited zircons in the meta-igneous rocks and numerous Precambrian detrital zircons in the meta-sedimentary rocks imply that these rocks were formed proximal to older crust.It is inferred that the Xinghuadukou and Zhalantun Groups represent Cambrian and/or Neoproterozoic vol- cano-sedimentary sequences formed in an active continental margin setting.     

Research on Computing Models of CBR Similarity

Several models of measuring case similarity in CBR systems are deeply explored. We also discuss the case matching process, and present three matching functions. Finally, we illustrate the significance of the models in CBR(Case Based Reasoning) systems implementation.     

Formation and biocorrosion behavior of Zr-Al-Co-Nb bulk metallic glasses

Ni-and Cu-free Zr-Al-Co-Nb glassy alloys with different Nb and Co contents were synthesized by melt spinning and copper mold casting.The effects of Nb addition to partially replace Co in the Zr55Al20Co25 glassy alloy on the glass-forming ability,thermal properties,in-vitro biocorrosion behavior and surface wettability of the metallic glasses were investigated.Although addition of Nb up to 5 at.% slightly decreased the supercooled liquid region and the glass-forming ability(GFA),the alloys could be casted in a bulk glassy rod form with diameters up to 3mm.The Zr-Al-Co-Nb glassy alloys were spontaneously passivated with low passive current densities in phosphate buffered saline and Hanks’ solution.Substitution of "toxic" Co by Nb is effective in improved the corrosion resistance of the Zr-Al-Co glassy alloy.Water contact angle measurements showed that Nb addition increased the hydrophilicity of the glassy alloys,which may enhance cell adhesion of the alloys in biomedical applications.     

Expression of human clotting factor Ⅸ mediated by recom- binant lentiviral vector in cultured cells and hemophilia B mice

To explore the expression of human clotting factor Ⅸ (hFⅨ) cDNA in vitro and the feasibility of gene therapy for hemophilia B mice mediated by recombinant lentiviral vector, a recombinant hFⅨ lentiviral vector driven by ubiquitin-C promoter, FUXW, and by ABP liver specific promoter, FAXW, was constructed respectively. Recombinant lentivirus was harvested from 293T cells by calcium phosphate-mediated transient cotransfection of three plasmids (transgene vector, CMV腞8.2, VSV-G). hFⅨ expression was detected in supernatant of 293T, BHK and L-02 cells infected with FUXW virus, whereas higher expression of hFⅨ levels (630 ng/106 cells/48 h) was detected only in L-02 cells infected with FAXW virus. Serum hFⅨ antigen was detected in all hemophilia B mice treated with FAXW virus by tail vein injection, an efficiency level of hFⅨ was observed (45 ng/mL, approximately 1% of normal human levels), the expression lasted for more than 60 d. The results indicated that HIV-based lentiviral vectors offer a promising approach to the gene therapy of hemophilia B.     

Occurrence of Neoproterozoic low-grade metagranite in the western Beihuaiyang zone,the Dabie orogen

Based on detailed field investigations and petrographic observations, we discovered Neoproterozoic-emplaced granite from the metavolcanics of the Dingyuan Formation in the western Beihuaiyang zone, the Dabie orogen. This study reports the results of zircon U-Pb dating and preliminary petrographic observations on two metagranite samples. The studied rocks experienced epidote-amphibolite facies metamorphism and strong structural deformation. Their U-Pb ages are 726 ± 6 and 758 ± 12 Ma, respectively, similar to those for the Luzhenguan complex in the eastern segment of the Beihuaiyang zone. In combination with previously determined 635 ± 5 Ma low-grade metagabbro, this study suggests the occurrence of at least two types of Neoproterozoic intrusive rocks in the Beihuaiyang zone, the northern margin of the South China Block (SCB): 726–758 Ma metagranite and 635 Ma metagabbro. These rocks occur within the metamorphosed Ordovician volcanic zone (originally named the Dingyuan Formation) and are in tectonic contact to each other, but they formed in different tectonic settings. The protolith ages for the Neoproterozoic low-grade metaigneous rocks are in good agreement not only with ages for two episodes of mid- and late-Neoproterozoic mafic and felsic magmatism in the Suizhou and Zaoyang area, Hubei Province, but also agree with protolith ages of ultrahigh-pressure metaigneous rocks in the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt. In view of their tectonic relationships to country rocks, it appears that these Neoproterozoic low-grade rocks are exotic and they may have been detached and scraped from subducting SCB crust in the early Triassic during the initial continental subduction, and thrusted over Paleozoic metamorphosed rocks in the southern margin of the North China Block during continental collision.